He stated, 'in substance' [='in essence', 'essentially'], that it is not his fault and he will not pay for damages.
These rumors have no 'substance'. = These rumors are 'without substance'. [=these rumors are not true]
Codeine is a 'controlled substance'. [=a drug that you need permission from a doctor to use]
(..) if we didn't do that. Why? It's a modern pastiche of minor myths which completely lack thought or substance. It's tradition. There's no harm in that. On the contrary, I don't want to teach our daughter that it is okay for a stranger (..)2015 TvShow: Bones Title: The Promise in the Palace Season: 11 Episode 7